What are Team USA athletes — Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls — up to when they're not competing? They're training. They're practicing. They're traveling to competitions and meets and games and tournaments. They're relaxing. They're getting engaged and married and having children. They're taking hard-earned vacations. Or retiring. Or coping with the raw emotions that come from losing and winning. And they're sharing. Through the reach of social media, we're able to follow along on their often extraordinary journeys. We'll catch you up each week on what's "Red, White & Trending."
#WorldMentalHealthDay
Noting a cause that is especially and personally important, Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps shares with a young fan how his own experiences have helped shape his perspective on anxiety.
The ANGST film has 1 goal: to start a conversation about anxiety.I know how much talking about it helps. https://t.co/t6N9nRU5tP #AngstMovie
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 6, 2017
Team USA also came out in support of the day, and in some cases, it remains exceedingly personal …
#MentalHealthDay pic.twitter.com/XF1KJvNOXC
— Danell Johan Leyva (@DanellJLeyva) October 11, 2017
"Be vulnerable. Open up. The hardest step is to ask for help" #WorldMentalHealthDay advice from @arschmitty https://t.co/6p0c5BUlOn
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) October 10, 2017
On this #MentalHealthDay, I’m thankful to my friends, family, and the fantastic therapist I’ve found. Depression is tough, but so am I. 💪
— Lauren Salter (@lsesalter) October 11, 2017
#WorldMentalHealthDay support those around you. No ones life is perfect, even if it seems. Be kind. We are all going through something.
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) October 10, 2017
#WorldMentalHealthDay
— Laurie Hernandez ➶ (@lzhernandez02) October 10, 2017
You and your mind come first. Don't forget to be kind to one another. I'm here for all of you :)💛 pic.twitter.com/MvVCeriyaz
Mom Genes
As parents know, it’s not just their young children who grow up so quickly after they’re born …
Today I bought my first bag of diapers. I felt so grown picking out the bag. I may have even looked around hoping someone saw me. Haha
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) October 9, 2017
And, oh-by-the-way, check out Olympic tennis champion Serena Williams’ very famous newborn on social media (that’s @olympiaohanian) …
Must-Read …
When it comes to the Olympic and Paralympic pursuit among the very best athletes in the world, struggles are both imagined as the threat that someone might be working harder than you, and very real. In a world where there is pressure to be flawless every single day, the idea of “0 progress” can absolutely haunt an athlete. And that’s where two-time Olympic luger Chris Mazdzer found himself this past week — with a big raspberry on his shoulder and some complicated thoughts running through his head.
And then he went back to work. Mazdzer’s very next post? One of the most intense POV videos of a luge run you’ll ever see …
… followed by an optimistic look ahead.
And a great motto …
Speaking Of Luge …
Once the youngest man to ever compete on the U.S. Olympic Luge Team when he raced for Team USA in Sochi, Tucker West isn’t all that far removed from a proper Sesame Street age himself, which made this all the more natural a fit …
.@sesamestreet's @MeCookieMonster gets some important training from @TuckerWest1 to expand his #WinterOlympics vocabulary. pic.twitter.com/N71GDXyEuY
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) October 10, 2017
Time Of My Life …
This. Is. So. Good. As part of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York, edition of a lip sync battle, the full Baby treatment …
Swiss, Watch
For a dose of winter as 2018 draws nearer by the day, we bring you some incredible views, bright winter hues and big air from the Swiss Alps — courtesy Olympic gold and two-time bronze medalist Kelly Clark (who was on her way out), Olympic gold medalist Jamie Anderson (whose video is of the must-see variety for its slo-mo amplitude), Olympian Elena Hight, plus PyeongChang hopeful and teen phenom Chloe Kim, who already appear to be dialed in.
Over 15 miles, up 6 mountains in 2 days... I'm basically Swiss. pic.twitter.com/cEdJxgh0pe
— Kelly Clark (@thekellyclark) October 12, 2017
Amazing place, fun shredding and good friends. Peace out Saas-Fee. pic.twitter.com/NcOfJJYUXC
— Kelly Clark (@thekellyclark) October 9, 2017
Fall Classic
Major League Baseball’s second season is underway, where playoff stories have Team USA caught up in the drama. Few had better seats, however, than Phelps for Arizona.
Just @MichaelPhelps rounding out the #FreightTrain's pregame routine. 🐐 #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/NC4eLGTjDE
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 10, 2017
For Cleveland …
Let's get it together boys #RallyTogether❤️⚾️💙 pic.twitter.com/XmnZcClmZB
— Brianne McLaughlin (@BrianneMcL) October 12, 2017
Regroup and get ready for game 4. Still #Windians. @Indians
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 9, 2017
For Chicago …
Root Root Root for the #Cubbies 💙❤️⚾️🐻#FlyTheW #cubs #Chicago https://t.co/ChOSGhiIWa
— Anna Li (@AnnaLi_88) October 10, 2017
She Did It Again
Yet again, Tatyana McFadden is a Chicago marathon champion. McFadden, the multi-distance Paralympic star, after finishing first in the Second City this past week, added to her remarkable run with a seventh consecutive women’s marathon crown — and breaking her course record in the process.
Team USA was represented well in Chicago, too. McFadden’s VIP posts:
McFadden’s Rio teammate Amanda McGrory had a pretty good view — and an excellent race of her own, too …
To this victor went the spoils of Greece …
Travel Time
Since appearing at the Team USA Media Summit in Utah, Sochi Olympian Nick Goepper’s season has picked up speed quickly.
Headed down to NZ to shred after a much needed break! Hyped to get back on snow soon! @KULKEA pic.twitter.com/BVnZ44sQWW
— Nick Goepper (@NickGoepper) October 6, 2017
The best kind of ice bath ☃️❄️ pic.twitter.com/ADaghxdnvg
— Nick Goepper (@NickGoepper) October 11, 2017
Springtime in NZ 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/SuEqPWjWrG
— Nick Goepper (@NickGoepper) October 12, 2017
Chamber Of Commerce Day
There’s just something about California, as told by Olympic swimming silver medalist Josh Prenot …
I got to do these two activities on the same day. California is nuts pic.twitter.com/vefbNUT6qZ
— Josh Prenot (@JoshPrenot) October 9, 2017
Winter Is Coming To …
On the other hand, the telltale signs of pre-winter — also known as fall or autumn — have come to PyeongChang.
Wishing you a wonderful week from @PyeongChang2018. Only 4 months to go! #PyeongChang2018 ❄️🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/KcOCqRsiJC
— Olympics (@Olympics) October 9, 2017
Cleared For Takeoff
Meanwhile, somewhere high above Salzburg, Austria, Olympic golfer Lexi Thompson …
Training Day
Back at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Keith Gabel, a 2014 Paralympic bronze medalist snowboarder, was setting PRs in the gym.
Cheat Day
Mmmm, cake …
When ur training for the Olympics in 120 days but it's also your bday.
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) October 10, 2017
Happy Bday @eamslider24!
#glutenfree #sugarfree #organic #lie pic.twitter.com/eynqgNjVg1
Oh, Burn
Hot jokes from Olympic curling athlete Chris Plys …
I've burnt so many calories already today, you guys... pic.twitter.com/rTaPsnQvln
— chris plys (@chrisplys) October 9, 2017
Dialing It In
On the eve of the eve of his NCAA season at Purdue, Olympic diver Steele Johnson posted a slow-motion video to sneak peek a new project, of sorts.
New dive in the works 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/uvyY8Y22Sp
— Steele Johnson (@Steele_Johnson) October 10, 2017
On the subject of slow-motion diving videos with Johnson, David Boudia, Johnson’s Olympic silver-medal-winning synchro partnerq, posted this mesmerizing practice synchro video …
Eyes On The Prize
This is what the Olympic and Paralympic spirit looks like. Here it is October of 2017 with the nearest Summer Games in 2020, and this is Olympic weightlifter Morghan King being fueled by the motivation of a quote attributed to three-time Olympic champion Gail Devers.
The Best Teammate
Simply the best. In the eyes of USRowing, Ellen Tomek is the Female Athlete of the Year. Over the past few years, no one has enjoyed a better seat to witness this elite level than teammate Meghan O’Leary, and it was O’Leary who offered this heartfelt congratulations …
Book Deal
Congratulations are in order for six-time Olympic medalist gymnast Aly Raisman ...
Looks amazing! Congrats 😘❤️ https://t.co/JRuA5cj6UB
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) October 11, 2017
Getting On Track
His left supported by a brace, three-time Olympian Steven Nyman, who suffered a season-ending injury in February, is working his way back to full health. The balance displayed here is nothing short of remarkable — unless, perhaps, you’re a world-class skier, of course.
Mission: Control
This phase of training at altitude for Team USA’s cross-country skiers is about to come to an end in Utah. But not before some speed, some jumping with joy, some posing and … just a little bit of weird, courtesy Olympians Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall.
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